Hippo signaling pathway and organ size control.

Initially discovered in Drosophila, the Hippo (Hpo) pathway has been recognized as a conserved signaling pathway that controls organ size during development by restricting cell growth and proliferation and by promoting apoptosis. In addition, abnormal activities of several Hpo pathway components have been implicated in human cancer. Here, we review the current understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of Hpo signaling in development and tumorigenesis, and discuss how the Hpo pathway integrates spatial and temporal signals to control tissue growth and organ size.